Pineal cyst

Jimmy's MRI was normal except for a small pineal cyst.

The Dr called it "small" my google research says anything under 5mm is considered "small."  Imagine my surprise when I got a copy of the report and it read "11mm x 7mm x 5mm."  Google says fluid filled cysts rarely cause problems. His report said it was fluid in the front,the back of the cyst "may" have some solid material in it, but luckily it did not light up with IV contrast (therefore not cancerous). So, I called CHOP today to make our appointment. 

Anyway, the pediatrician thinks his vomiting is Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome that may be related to migraines (without the obvious head pain). She's going to prescribe Zofran. We have an appointment in a month to go over everything. 

I'm going to start keeping a health record for him too:(

********

May 2017: we saw a pediatric Neurosurgeon at Hershey. The pineal cyst is there. It probably will never need to be removed. We can follow up with him if it starts causing problems. He does not think that the vomitting is neuro- related.    :)

Jimmy's MRI

We got to LGH at 0630. Jimmy was in a good, happy mood. In pre-op they gave him Versed. Oh boy!  20 mins later he was mesmerized by the fact that everyone had TWO EYES!!!  Jason had to keep him from constantly touching his own TWO EYES. I wish we were alone so we could have taken a video.  At 0800, the Anesthesiologist carried him away from us.  He was calm and happy.

 

 

We should see him again in an hour...

Update: it was 2 hours until they called us back to post-op. He as doing great! So good, that they never bothered to call us from Recovery. Apparently, the 3 year old told the recover nurses that he didnt need Mommy and Daddy at his bedside. Hm?!?  Within 1 hour he was eating and drinking and able to walk around. And home we went!

 

Traditions...

Happy St Patricks Day!!

 

Jimmy's Brain Tumor

You read it right!!

James Liounis Stringham probably has a brain tumor.

Since late summer, he's had vomiting spells that last 6-8 hours, have no fever, hardly ever have diarrhea, and go away quickly- not quickly, like *poof* gone!  It happens approximately every other week.

Getting him to a Dr has been on my To-Do list, I just hadn't gotten to it, with everything going on. I figured I'd mention it at his well visit in June, if we didn't get there by then. 

I couldn't think of what could be causing it, I figured the Drs would blow it off, or maybe send us to talk to a GI Dr. I found stuff online about Cyclic Vomitting Syndrome and Abdominal Migraines.  What I didn't think is that they would want us to see a Neurosurgeon at CHOP next week!!!!  Sometimes, I think I may be the worse nurse out there.  I'm often blown away by the Drs findings/plan!   And talk about Mother-Guilt!!!  Now I feel awful, and sad, and stupid, almost incompetent at being his Mom. The Dr said that without my history, she still would proceed in this direction.

He was awesome at getting his blood taken yesterday... probably because he was so sick and lethargic.  The Drs st CHOP want him to have an MRI with sedation, here in Lancaster, before we go see them. I'm waiting for an appointment time. It should be next week sometime.  I tested his pee (Per Drs request) last night and it was FULL of Glucose and Ketones. His blood glucose was only 63. Even the Dr's unsure why he was spilling so much Glucose. She had me retest it this morning, and there's no Glucose. She said to check it randomly this week, we will delve into that issue later, first she wants to get the MRI done and move on from there. 

This morning he's not acting sick at all. He tells me that his "back is a little sick", but I can't get him to elaborate on that, and he's not acting like he hurts. He's such a trooper. I told him yest that we needed to take pictures of his brain. Today, he asked when we were going to cut him open? I didn't know what he meant. Then he said "To take the pictures of my brain?"  WHOOPS!! 

So, for the moment, everyone here is actually A-OK. I think we all are just kind of like "There's NO WAY!!" I don't know if we're eerily optimistic or if our guts are right. The Dr seems to be confidant that he does, in fact, have a brain tumor. She kept saying "Let's hope I'm wrong."  I agree... 

Here he is yesterday and today:

 

*** Update 5/18/17... we saw a Neurosurgeon at Hershey. Jimmy does have a pineal cyst 5mmx7mmx11mm but it is small and not causing any problems, he does not think that the vomitting is neuro-related!!!!  We only follow up with him if there are symptoms years down the line. Woohoo!!

Infection?

Just for my FYI when I talk to surgeon in AM:

Sunday evening began feeling "tight" in tear right neck- some discomfort turning to the right. 

Monday continued. Not really noticeable- told neighbor I need to do more stretching, felt a tiny about swollen. Took pix.

Tuesday woke feeling more swollen. Felt "fluid" at bottom of line scar. No obvious wound infection. Evening: more tight, not turning head unconsciously, white head noticed (won't pop) per kids noticeably swollen.

 

Now it's Weds AM, I talked to Denise, NP. Sent her the pics she requested, she'll talk to infectious dz and DrcLee this afternoon when he's done surgery. Swelling seems a tad bit more... not a big noticeable amount, whew. I have no neuro or infection s/s.  Here's the pics I sent...

 

 

She asked why I was red and splotchy around it...  ???

Wednesday night... they never called back. There's a small white tip to the fluidly area. I think it's a scar from a stitch that has fluid under it.

Thursday am they called back. Watch and wait right now. First culture grew only 1 bacteria "probably surgical contamination" per ID. I think it's the same size as last night. No other s/s's.

It's Monday now. Mom's back surgery went well!  She's home sleeping right now.  Here's a picture of my scar today. No longer swollen. Itchy today, though.

 

And now it is Saturday, the 18th.  My head is starting to hurt, it's in my skin, like the scar tissue is pulling tighter and tighter. I do not seem swollen- in fact I feel "sunken in" right behind my ear. Freaky. I'm also itchy on my scars.  They are bigger and worse than I thought, especially where my drain exited. My whole head on the right side feels sore under my skin- maybe it's my nerves firing back up?  I hope so.  I've had a temporal head-discomfort (not headache pain) and occasional ringing in my right ear today. The ringing lasts only 5 seconds or so.  I had to take a pain pill tonight. I'm nervous, to be honest. 

8 weeks post op

 

I knew that I would.... 

Since Fri (exactly 8 weeks post op) I have been on an upward swing... I'm practically a trapeze artist!  Sure I have my emotional moments, but physically I am moving and grooving.  Even bending all the way over!!!  

I spent the weekend driving, visiting with friends, watching Jennibelle's indoor soccer game, staying outside for Jaylee's entire Frost Bite rugby tournament and threw Jackson his Bday party.  (By the way, Jaylee is Beast Mode!!!!  Especially when playing with kids her age, but even on the high school team she was taking down some big girls... she's ruthless. And even scored 5 times this weekend!!)

 

SHE'S BACK!!

1. Don't tell my surgeon how busy I've been

2. Hopefully I don't jinx myself

3. Thankyou for the prayers

Here's a pic for my own recollection. The lymph node is empty now, just a scar for the time being: